Word Origin & History

wink O.E. wincian "to nod, wink," from P.Gmc. *wenkanan (cf. Du. wenken, O.H.G. winkan, Ger. winken), a gradational variant of the root of O.H.G. wankon "to stagger, totter," O.N. vakka "to stray, hover," from PIE *weng- "to bend, curve." The meaning "close an eye as a hint or signal" is first recorded c.1100; that of "close one's eyes to fault or irregularity" first attested c.1480. The noun is recorded from c.1300; meaning "very brief moment of time" is attested from 1585.

Example Sentences for wink

Does it mean a bedroom community or agricultural interests winkwink are engaged.

The odd thing is, no one has turned on a flashlight, and no streetlights or house lights wink on around them.

It's a difficult song, she remembered all the lyrics, and she didn't wink or twirl her skirt at the end.

In the wink of an eye, insomnia slips from thought to obsession, from earnest doubt to pitiless masochism and misanthropy.

While this is objectively interesting, the cutesy wink to the reader at the end is both predictable and patronizing.

Scientists have to give a nudge and a wink about possible applications in the future to be a blip on anyone's radar.

He had done this several times before, but always with what seemed a wink.

It's a tingly feeling that starts in the hands, moves toward the wallet, and concludes with a wink.

Acknowledging my dishonesty with a wink didn't make it less a lie.

He took the ice with a rakish grin, popping his suspenders as he skated to center ice and fixing the audience with a wink.